Measuring and self-closing device for collapsible tubes



D. D. LEVY Aug. 12, 1930.

MEASURING AND SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Jan. 26, 1923 Patented Aug. 12 1930 UNITED S A This invention relates to collapsible tubes for shaving creamer the like and includes means whereby the tube is closed as a measured quantity of the tubepontents is extruded for use. w

I The object of the invention includes the, provision of an efiicient but simple closing 1 means for tubes of the kind specified whereby a definite quantity of the creamy or pastry contents is exposed for use.

Another object includes the provision of a tube having a tapered opening with a plug fitting said opening and having an anchoring stem extending through said opening for depressing the plug into the tube preparatory to obtaining a definite quantity of the creamy or pasty contents of the tube. That is to say, I provide, in a collapsible tube having a tapered opening, means whereby the tube is sealed when the measured quantity has been extruded.

JQther objects will ap ear hereinafter and I obtain these objects y the construction shown in the accompanying drawing in whichp v Figure 1 is a top plan view of a tube to which my invention is applied; Fig. 2 is aside elevation of a collapsible tube, partly in section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, to show the fit of the closing device or plug; Fig. 3 is a viewvsimilar to that of Fig. 2, except that the closing plug is down and ready to mete out-a definite quantity; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the plug showing a flexible handle attached thereto." The same numerals of reference refer to like parts in the several views. 7

My invention is particularly adapted for shaving creams, tooth pastes, cold creams, and like pasty or creamy substances in collapsible containers 10 and having a tapering shmilder 11 which terminates in a neck 12. The opening through said neck is somewhat smaller at the outer end 13. than at the inner end 14-. Consequently the opening in the neck of said tube is taperingas is'shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Within the tapered opening there is fitted the self-sealing plug 13. This plug is, in general, hell-shaped with the outer tapered Dunner n. LEVY, or new roan, n. r.

of a collapsible tube,

TES- PATENT OFFICE ianasunme am) SELF-CLOSING nnvrcn non coLLArsmLE TUBES Application med'ilanuary as, 1928. flserial no. 249,509.

wall thereof adapted to fit the tapered innerwall in the-neck. The tube is provided with a handle 15 which terminates in a cross-piece 16. The handle may be rigid and formed as a part of. the plug or it may be a flexible handle 17 properly anchored at 18 in the head of the plug. The flexible handle 17 has a loop 19 by which the plug is pushed down into the contents in the tube. This loop is widened out when the plug is in place so that the plug is anchored in the neck opening. Inthe solid form of handle (Figs. 2 and 3) the crossbar 16 is longenough to anchor the plug inthe neck opening so that when the plug is depressed or' open, as in Fig. 3, the cross-p1ece rests, on the edge 13' of the tapered neck. For assembling the cross-piece may be made removable or it may be bent to slip through the neck. 7

The plug 13 is shown hollow and in the shape oi a truncated cone, but it is not confined to the specific shape shown. And, while I have shown and describedspecific forms of anchored plugs to be fitted in the tapered neck I do not thereby desire to be understood as having thus limited myself, except as stated in the appended claims.

The operation of my device is simple and readily understood. Assuming that it is de-- sired to obtain a definite quantity of shaving cream, for example, in that event plug 13 is pushed into the tube a definite distance depending upon'the quantity of cream required and extruded as stated below. If the full measure is desired the handle will be pushed down until the cross bar 16 or the loop 19 rests on the upper edge 13" of the neck 12. The tube is now collapsed by squeezing and the outward flow of the cream will carry the plug into its sealed position (Fig. 2) carrying with it the extruded core of cream 20 which surrounds the stem 15-or 17 if the flexible 7 movement of said plug.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a colla sible tube, a shoulder terminating in a nee having an eloggated tapered opening therethrough, a taper hollow plug fitted to seal said neck when the tube is compressed to extrude a quantity of the contents of said tube through said opening, and a stem extending outwardly from and rigidly anchored to said plu said stem having a stop on its outer end or limiting the inward 2. A collapsible tube having a tapering opening, a hollow plug open at the inner end and havin a handle comprising a stem and a cross-mem r rigidly formed near the outer end of said stem anchored in said opening whereby the plug may be displaced into the contents of the tube and a measured quantity of said contents extruded with the movement of the plug in closing the said opening.

3. A tube for creamy or pastry materials, said tube having an elongated, tapered, outwardly converging opening and a bell-shaped plug to movabl fit said opening, a handle rigidly mounted on said plug and terminating in a loop at its outer end whereby said plug is movably anchored in said opening and displaced. a predetermined distance into the tube, whereby an approximately measured quantity of the material may be extruded from the tube upon each successive operation of said handle.

4. In a collapsible tube, a neck having a tapered o ning converging outwardly, a tapered ho lowed plug'movably anchored in said neck, an inner end of said hollow plug open to direct contact with the contents of said tube, a stem on said plug extending outwardly, said stem having an outer stop for limiting the inward movement of the plug and thereby determine the amount of dis charge for each operation of said plug.

In testimoniyq whereof I have hereunto set. my hand on t is 23d day of January, A. D.

1928. DUDLEY D. LEVY; 

